UE Security Taskforce strategies for elections 2012

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Heads of Security Agencies in the Upper East Region have pledged to collectively work in ensuring free, fair and violent-free elections in December. Briefing the Daily Graphic after an inaugural meeting of the Regional Election Security Taskforce, the Public Relations Office of the Ghana Police Service, Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP), Mr. Thomas Yaw Agbanyo said members of the Taskforce have resolved to exhibit a high sense of professional discipline and competence to ensure that the ongoing electioneering campaign and the general election are conducted peacefully. The task force is made up of heads of the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Prisons Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and the Customs Excise and Preventive Service, with the Regional Police Commander Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCOP), Mr. Bright Oduro as the chairman. According to ASP Agbanyo members of the taskforce have identified the various flashpoints in the region and resolve to beef up with strong security and patrol personnel. Again, he said enough logistics would be provided to the security to make sure that no one foments trouble anywhere in the region. ASP Agbanyo added that all the security agencies agreed at the meeting to release their vehicles on Election Day to ensure a smooth operation of the security agencies. He said the taskforce will be replicated in all municipalities and districts to demonstrate the readiness of the security agencies to deal with all elections related violence. ASP Agbanyo said present at the meeting was the Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr. Bruce Ayisi who inform the members that polls will take place in 1, 118 polling stations in the region and enlisted the support of the security agencies to make the process violent free. benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh